Arizona Outback Adventures

Arizona Outback Adventures provides guided multi-day hiking, biking and multi-sport tours to some of the most magical locations in Arizona. From multi-day tours to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon to half day hikes in the Phoenix area. All the trips offer exciting backcountry experiences with luxurious comfort, exquisite food, and an unsurpassed level of customer service.

Established in 1993, originally as a hiking-only tour company and now each year over 8,000 guests trust Arizona Outback Adventures. From daily activities to and week-long trips for the individual traveler or a family getaway. AOA take great pride in offering a true outdoor experience with an unsurpassed level of service. Their staff staff is comprised of professional and experienced guides with the perfect blend local knowledge and extensive outdoors experience. They aim to create unparalleled memories for their clients visiting Arizona and looking for some local knowledge and a different experience.


Guided Multi-Day Tours
These tours offer the best opportunity to intimately experience the waterfalls, canyons and red rocks of Havasupai, the south rim of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase National Monument and Zion National Park. If you can't find something that suits you AOA can create a custom adventure vacation that meets your clients particular needs and timeframe.

Multi-Day Hiking Tours
Providing the most educational and beautiful hikes available, AOA offer options ranging from nature walks to ultra-challenging mountain climbs. All of the trails have been chosen not only for their scenic beauty but also their accessibility, safety, and low volume of visitors. Combined, these factors afford our guests an unforgettable experience.

Havasupai Adventure Tours (Grand Canyon)
See the hidden secrets of Havasupai, a very unique spot within the Grand Canyon! The most beautiful spots in the canyon are hidden from all but the most experienced travelers and adventurous explorers. Have time to discover the highlights including; narrow side canyons with clear springs feeding lush gardens of ferns and watercress, underwater grottos, natural showers, and awe-inspiring overlooks with the guidance of our experienced trip leaders.

Grand Canyon: Grand Traverse (North Rim to River to South Rim)
North Rim to River to South Rim at a holiday pace! One of the world’s most sought after adventures – hiking one way from north to south within the Grand Canyon. Selected by National Geographic as one of the 50 Tours of a Lifetime, this journey through geologic time is a must do for all adventurous travelers. Carrying only day packs, traverse the canyon from North to South spending two nights at world famous Phantom Ranch located in the bottom of the canyon. The lay-over day explores the secrets of the inner canyon and relaxing next to the mighty Colorado River. Awe inspiring adventures below the rim will be book ended by a peaceful night at the North Rim Lodge and a celebration night on the South Rim.
Rated as Advanced.


Grand Canyon: Grand Loop (South Rim to River and Return)
Join us for one of the world’s most sought after adventures – hiking within the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River and back! This journey through geologic time is a must do for all adventurous travelers. Carrying only day packs, we will descend into the canyon from the South Rim then spend two nights at world famous Phantom Ranch located in the bottom of the canyon. The lay-over day will explore the secrets of the inner canyon and relax next to the mighty Colorado River. The challenging and inspiring adventures below the rim will be book ended by a peaceful night at a South Rim lodge preparing for our adventure and then finish with a night at a Sourth Rim lodge.
Rated as Advanced.

Bryce, Zion & Grand Staircase
Explore the best of the Southwest… Here’s the ultimate Southwest “Grand Slam!” Venture from Cedar Breaks National Monument to the phantasmagoric formations of Bryce Canyon to the solitude of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and finally to Zion Canyon. Sometimes called a “Yosemite dressed in red”, with its sheer walls of red rock, hundreds of plunging waterfalls, and narrow slot canyons. Seeing these magnificent and diverse landscapes by foot is an intimate and fulfilling experience that will leave lasting memories. Guests have the option of camping or staying in a cabin for four nights. So, if you are adventuresome or you if prefer the comfort of a bed and indoor plumbing both are covered.
Rated as Intermediate.

Sonoran Desert Singletrack Biking Tours
Warm winter riding. Awesome singletrack, beautiful views, towering cacti, 75-degree weather, all when it is too cold to ride at home! Nobody knows the deserts of central Arizona better than the guides who live there. Each day is riding rolling singletrack with amazing views of the lushest desert in the world and the surrounding jagged mountain ranges.
In wet years expect seas of vibrant wildflowers. At rest breaks the guide's knowledge of the flora, fauna, geology and history of this unique ecosystem will fascinate. Highlights include a remote basecamp retreat packed with amenities, incredible views and fabulous mountain bike specific trails. Base camp is set up for the entire week at a site in McDowell Mountain Park reserved exclusively for AOA groups. There are shower facilities and bathrooms. The views, silence, and serenity of this camp are inspiring. Gather around the fire, the only other campers to hear are the howling coyotes.

Create An Adventure
A custom/private trip with close friends or loved ones is often the most rewarding way to experience AOA’s services. Unlike many adventure companies; AOA are specialists in Arizona. This specific expertise allows us to provide our guests with exceptional customer service and the flexibility to tailor design a dream adventure.

AOA with the right information will create a custom proposal, including everything needed to plan a custom adventure.

For more information about scheduled departures or a custom itinerary begin_of_the_skype_highlightin complete the reservation/inquiry form:


Guided Day Tours
AOA's all-inclusive hiking tours offer a rainbow of bright flowers, towering green cacti, and lush trees and soaring vistas. Arizona's Sonoran Desert offers a landscape unlike that of any other desert in the world!
Trekking, riding or floating, clients will learn about the colorful flora, distinctive fauna, geology and cultural history of these distinctive locations.
with AOA’s knowledgeable, professional guides. Enjoy an up close and personal look at the elements that comprise the Sonoran Desert, and find answers to ever-popular questions - Just how old is that saguaro? From which cactus did John Wayne drink? AOA take pride in offering the most informative tours available.

AOA offer options ranging from nature walks to an ultra-challenging mountain climb. All of the tour locations have been chosen for their scenic beauty, accessibility, safety, and low volume of visitors. Combined, these factors afford you an unforgettable Sonoran Desert experience.

Mountain Bike Tours

1. The Pemberton Trail
If it is a long rolling single-track that your client is seeking, then the Pemberton Trail is the trail for them: 15.6 miles of pure exhilarating mountain biking, with breathtaking views of the mountain ranges all around.
- McDowell Mtn Regional Park
- 15.6 miles
- 650
- Moderate

2. Cactus Cup Competitive Loops
Three loops: all consist of steep inclines, swooping turns, technical descents, and rugged terrain. These competitive tracks are geared for mountain bikers who want to test their skills as riders.
- McDowell Mtn Regional Park
- 15.6 miles
- 400
- Moderate/Difficult

Road Bike Tours
Tour de Scottsdale Route (Road)
Whether clockwise or counter clockwise, climbing is involved in one of the best road rides in the Valley, riding around the McDowell Mountains, through the Sonoran Desert with spectacular views of the Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains.
- Around the McDowell Mtns
- 52-70 miles
- 3,340
- Difficult

Tom’s Thumb Grand Traverse Hike
This strenuous hike takes hikers from one end to the other of the McDowell Mountains. Enjoy 360-degree breathtaking views of the Sonoran desert, the Valley of the Sun, the Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains. .

Sunrise Peak Grand Adventure
Hike up the Sunrise trail to its peak culminating at 3,069 feet. The views from there are just magnificent. As its name suggests, hiking at sunrise or sunset for that matter offers the experienced hiker a unique Sonoran desert experience..

Salt River Nature Kayak Tour
This tour goes down the Lower Salt River and discovers a scenic and relaxing desert oasis. While drifting on this class 1 kayakers are surrounded by spectacular, unobstructed 70-mile views into 4 different mountain ranges. Flowing from the mountains in Northern Arizona, the Salt River is captured by four dams and released for use by Phoenicians and farmers year-round.  The reliable source of water attracts a variety of wild life, making it common to enjoy close encounters with animals enjoying their natural habitat.  Some favorites include; groups of wild horses ambling along the riverbanks, Great Blue Herons and the majestic Bald Eagle hunting for prey!

Grand Canyon Fly & Hike

Combine the unique experience of a Westwind Air Service Flight and Air Tour over the Grand Canyon with a guided hiking tour led by Arizona Outback Adventures. After boarding Westwind's new Cessna Aircraft (every seat is a window seat), fly to the Grand Canyon for a narrated flight through the Tonto National Forest, the Red Rocks of Sedona, and past the San Francisco Peaks and Mt. Humphries, Arizona’s highest point. Once reaching the Grand Canyon, the Air Tour will continue with a 30-minute flight over the widest and deepest part of the Canyon. The flight goes as low as 1,000 feet above the rim, and Westwind is one of only three companies with the authorization to do so from the US Government.

After over-flying the Grand Canyon, land at the Grand Canyon Airport where AOA’s vans will take customers into the Grand Canyon National Park. First stop is a scenic overlook and a chance to view the panoramic views of the Grand Canyon from the ground. Then to the trailhead to begin the hike with one of AOA’s Wilderness First Responder Certified (WFR) guide(s).

Guests will begin their guided hike with a series of switchbacks before arriving at Ooo-Ahh Point. At this aptly named lookout point, the landscape opens up to afford 360-degree breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon. Next, continue on to a picnic area at Cedar Ridge, dropping almost 1,200 feet in elevation and descending through more than 40 million years of geological history. This scenic trail is unique in the Grand Canyon as it traverses along a ridgeline instead of descending a side canyon, allowing for unobstructed views and excellent photography opportunities. The expert guides will educate guests on the Grand Canyon’s rich history, ecosystems and geology.

After a break for a delicious picnic lunch, explore Cedar Ridge before beginning the ascent to the rim where guests will reach the Yaki Point overlook. From there, AOA’s vans wait to return to the Grand Canyon airport for the chartered flight back to Phoenix.
6-8 Miles and classified as moderate/difficult.


Sedona Discovery Tour
An up-close and personal tour of Sedona: in the morning, cross Oak Creek and hike to Eagles’ Nest for some fantastic views of the Red Rock Country landscape. After a lunch creek side, take a walk and do some well-deserved shopping in downtown Sedona. 5 Miles and classified as Easy.

Bicycle Rentals, Rental Bike Sales & Service

Since 1990 AOA has provided the very best rental bikes and service in Arizona. From comfort bikes, to high-end road and mountain bikes as well as kids bikes and trailers; one of their 300 bikes will fit everyone’s cycling needs perfectly. Helmets are included with every rental and they can usually accommodate specific pedal requirements. They can even provide aero bars for tri-athlon competitors.

Conveniently located in North Scottsdale at the foot of the McDowell Mountains, there is year-round world-class riding, right outside their front door! Both paved and dirt trails spider out from their shop into picturesque desert. Restaurants, coffee houses and shopping are close by for convenient pre- or post-ride recharging. If customers wish to ride from their hotel they can usually deliver bikes so it will be waiting for your client when they arrive (can be at an additional cost).

AOA has extensive knowledge and maps of many of the best mountain bike trails and road rides in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area.